Chris Tarver, LCSW
Executive Director
Chris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Utah and Louisiana. His career began in 2005 as a Wilderness Field...
Michael Sanders
Field Director
Michael Sanders was first introduced to wilderness therapy and the power of natural medicine when his sister was enrolled as a student in...
Breydon Proctor
Assistant Field Director
Breydon has enjoyed working in the wilderness therapy industry for over six years, and he has worked in wilderness education for over 13...
Chelsy Stewart
Office Manager
Chelsy originally started with WinGate in August 2016, working as an office assistant to our field director and clinical director. She...
Erin Grover, LCSW, MSW, TRS, CTRS, SEP
Clinical Director
Erin Grover has spent the last 18 years helping individuals and families grow and make positive changes. During her 15 years in the...
Scott Hess, MA, LMFT
Primary Therapist
Scott Hess began his career as a marriage and family therapist in 1996, working with juvenile sex offenders in locked facilities. That...
Kathy Ruiz, LCSW, RYT (she/they)
Primary Therapist
Kathy has extensive experience in experiential learning and therapy, starting her career over a decade ago working as a wilderness...
David Saldaña, MSW, CSW
Primary Therapist
David Saldaña has been working in the field of therapy and mental health for 22 years, working in both wilderness and residential...
Ed Simons, LCSW, BCD
Primary Therapist
Ed has spent the last 24 years helping individuals and families working with Utah's Family Preservation Program and as a combat...
Dale Christensen, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Dale Christensen has been practicing emergency medicine for over 15 years and is currently a staff physician at Utah Valley Regional...
Jake Roberts, APRN
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Jake's formal education consists of an AS Degree from Dixie State University, a BSN Degree from Southern Utah University, and a MSN...
Kyle Tolman
Medical Director
A Utah-native, Kyle has spent his whole life in the wilderness, exploring the desert. If he didn't go exploring with his grandfather,...
Josh Gunalda
Admissions Director
Josh has over 18 years of experience working in wilderness therapy. He began his career leading wilderness expeditions for adjudicated...
Teague Perkins
Social Media Director
Teague brings 9 years of wilderness therapy experience to the WinGate team. Teague was introduced to wilderness therapy as a student of...
Sarah Persha, M.A.
Parent Coaching Director
Sarah Persha, MA, joins Wingate Education in the expansion of parent and family services including Expanse, Roots, and Awakenings. As...